>> "bbc world news" is presented by kcet, los angeles. funding for this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. the newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation.

and union bank. >> union bank has put its financial strength to work for a wide range of companies, from small businesses to major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now "bbc world news." >> the taliban strike at the heart of the cia operations in afghanistan, and that the worst loss of life in 25 years. the first picture of british hostage peter moore said his release in iraq. then when's agreed on new year's eve. a gunman kills five before

killing himself. very warm welcome to "bbc world news." broadcast to our viewers on pbs in america, also around the globe. my name is mike embley. coming up later for you -- the scene now in moscow where they are bringing in 2010. and movies to remember. hello to you. the worst day for 25 years at the cia. agency director leon panetta confirmed seven members of staff have been killed in afghanistan. the attack also wounded six more americans. the taliban claim responsibility for the attack on the cia base close to the border of pakistan.

the dead include the cia chief in the southeast. four canadian soldiers and journalists also died in a roadside bomb attack. from kabul, we have this report. >> the wire that surrounded for chapman was not enough to stop the suicide bomber that walked in late yesterday. the security now -- too late to stop the attack. the security situation is getting worse. yesterday, a suicide bomber blew himself up. the taliban spokesman said one of their militants working as an afghan army officer passed through security with a package of explosives. he detonated inside, killing eight americans, seven working for the cia. in bases across the country, coalition troops work side-by- side with afghans. it is an essential part of the

strategy to defeat the insurgency. it depends on mutual trust. this leaves us with a growing dilemma. the coalition forces are dramatic the time to build up the numbers of civilians and military in some of the most volatile areas. at the same time, afghan security forces are under enormous pressure to build up their forces. this latest attack exposes the risks inherent in both elements of the strategy. there are about 90,000 afghan soldiers, many of them still on the bank. the goal is to launch our recruitment campaign so aggressive that almost inevitable -- inevitably -- >> this is almost certainly of vulnerability in our strategy going forward in handing over security to the afghans. we do not have a way of figuring

out who we can trust. >> british troops when that to their cost last month when an afghan police officer shot and killed five soldiers in helmand. the loss of soldiers is a tragedy. bbc news. kabul. >> let's get more from our washington correspondent. adam brooks is there. this is a tragedy, of course, but this is a real dilemma for the military plan. you have a sense of how they will get around it? >> clearly it is under the taliban ewing's interest to drive a wedge between -- the taliban's interest to drive a wedge. that was part of the strategizing going into this attack. it is not clear to me this was in any way going to significantly disrupt operations in afghanistan or

necessarily bring about large- scale changes in policy. one commentator here in washington today was saying simply this is the cost of doing business out there. it is a very serious thing for the cia. it is the largest loss of life since 1983 in a single incident. i cannot see any way it will significantly change the course of events. >> is it not a worry that the suicide bomber could get this close to keep personnel from the cia, whose business is security, of course, and on a base that has been hit before? >> of course it is. the u.s. armed forces have been concerned for some time about their ability to control and prevent the penetration of the afghan armed forces by insurgents. wednesday -- but i think the u.s. military understands they

are fighting an insurgency and these are insurgent tactics. the cia does not operate in an insulated fashion in afghanistan. it is right out there on the proverbial from lines. that should not be too much of a surprise. and the cia has lost other personnel in afghanistan. it should not be too much of a surprise they are taking casualties in the way that the u.s. military is taking casualties. of course, as the u.s. security presence in afghanistan grows, which it is going to do remarkably this year, one can expect to see an uptick in the number of casualties as well. >> understood. thank you very much. the first picture of british hostage peter moore has been released monday after being released in about that. this is the first photos seen since his capture two and half years ago. there has been a swift and angry denial from iran that he was held on iranian territory. those claims were first made in

the british newspaper "the guardian." >> a free man after 2 1/2 years as a hostage. peter moore this morning at the british embassy in baghdad. it is of far cry from how he looked in this hostage video, released last year. and this is the room where the ordeal began. this is the baghdad finance ministry where moore and his guards were captured last year. his security personnel were all killed. one other is also believed to be dead. only the i.t. consultant peter moore came out alive. "the guardian" alleges he was kept in iran.

>> our guy saw that the man -- the men were acquitted and handcuffed. the civilian cars went in the opposite direction from baghdad. our guys could not follow the civilian cars because the road turns to dirt track here. it is a remote area. the civilian cars drove off to the iranian border. >> the word out iran is disputed. they certainly have close links with the group that kidnapped britons, but the foreign office says there is no evidence they were involved. one man who worked but the revolutionary guard for 14 years disagrees. >> for short, the iran revolutionary guard are the real players in this. the iraqi kurds could not have pulled this off on the run. >> tonight, iranian tv carried this denial from the iran

foreign minister. it said the allegations were unfounded. the american top man in the middle east had his own views. david petraeus said earlier this month he was 90% certain that the hostages have been held in iran at some point. wherever he was held, peter moore is now adjusting to new found freedom. his family has asked for privacy. bbc news. >> let's give you this news coming in. a judge in the u.s. has dismissed all charges against five blackwater it security guards searched with a deadly shooting in baghdad. they said the u.s. justice department wrongly used evidence it was not allowed to see. the government's explanations have been contradictory and unbelievable. you may remember they were contacted to guard state department diplomats in iraq, and they fired on unarmed civilians at a busy intersection in 2007.

many innocent people were killed. some of the other main stories for you. militants in afghanistan have kidnapped a french tv reporter and cameraman along with a translator and driver. police say they were abducted wednesday as it were driving near kabul. according to the french defense minister is visiting afghanistan, the group has claimed responsibility. the former primate of all ireland has died in belfast. it is said he died peacefully in the presence of family and friends. he was 92. former british prime minister tony blair said he had made a significant contribution to delivering east. the golfer peckerwoods has lost another major -- the gulf for tiger woods has lost another major sponsor. for the third time in two

years, a gunman has gone on a rampage in finland. the shooting happened in a mall. we have this report. this was the scene today. it should have been one of the busiest days of the year. this -- six people are confirmed dead after a gunman opened fire. he then turned the gun on himself. >> there was confusion. at first an announcement on the loudspeakers set to close the shots and get everyone else -- out. and then there's another saying we could reopen. and another saying to get everyone out. >> this is the killer, a 43-year old. his motives are not known.

his former partner did work at the supermarket where the shootings took place. this is the apartment where she was found. >> the police know that the suspects -- i do not have knowledge of what they consist of. >> on new year's eve, traditionally a time of celebration, this is a nation in mourning. serious questions are again being oust about the country's liberal gun laws. -- asked about the country's liberal gun laws. in september 2008, a lone gunman killed students and a teacher before shooting himself. in late 2007, another shooting claimed nine lives. the prime minister condemned the killings, and promised to review the number of firearms in

circulation. what will happen remains to be seen. bbc news, finland. >> good to have you with us on "bbc world news." stay with us if you can. still to come -- bringing in 2010. the new year's celebration in australia, early. first though -- the attempt by a nigerian man to blow up a plane over christmas hasn't had repercussions for travelers. many airports will restore -- the attempt by nigerian man to blow the plane over christmas has had repercussions for travelers. many airports will restore full body scanners. the report. >> this is one of the most modern and busiest airports. it is pretty quiet because it is new year's eve. if we swing the camera around, you will see all lines of these full body scanners.

they were brought in two years ago, making russia one of the first countries to use this system in its airport. let's see what the procedure is like. you put your bag and your jacket here. and this goes through into the x-ray scanner, and you go through into the booth where this can take place. and you have to put your hands up in the air like this. you are surrendering yourself to the machine. it is using not x-rays, but radio waves, which provide a very, very precise picture of the body. it does not leave much to the imagination. this lady monitors or she can see the picture being produced by the stand. you can come around and have a look at what the picture looks like. now that has stopped. it will not let passengers look. they will not let estimate right now.

when officials are saying -- if the system had been in place in europe, the attempted christmas eve bomb attack would have been foiled. it would have detected explosives because it sees everything in and around her body. >> just a footnote -- the nigerian government is saying the plane targeted on christmas day began its journey in donna and spent fewer than 30 minutes at lake as airport -- began its journey in adana and spent fewer than 30 minutes at lagos air force. just the headlights for you on "bbc world news." the cia has acknowledged 7 people have been killed in afghanistan. it is the worst loss of life in 25 years. the first photos of the british hostage peter moore after years of captivity in iraq. he was treated well in the middle east. now for film critics around the world, this is the season that

they tried to justify the films they picked up or shut down in flames over the past year. it is best of time. sundresses are personal, but for many, -- we are talking movies. we have our own list. >> "the informant" takes the #10 spot. it is carried by not been in's performance and a sense of humor. -- matt damon's performance in the sense of humor. >> yes or going in. >> in doing one thing and one thing only. killing nazis. >> yes, sir.

>> next, the diverts twist on the world war two movie. -- world war ii movie. >> they had an instinct for survival. >> ♪ amazing >> next, and put the messenger ," -- next "the messenger," putting another look at the war in iraq. the protagonist is beginning to reclaim his old. at number seven, disney animation is up in 3d with the tale of an elderly balloon salesman who flies away on an adventure. it is original and emotional without being sentimental. >> get the blood.

grab the bull them. >> no. 6 -- the format of an action film explores the minds of soldiers in a war zone. it could be anywhere. specifically, is the story of one man's addiction to work. >> there are too many -- i cannot do it. i cannot get it open. i am sorry. you understand? yes aside. -- i am sorry. >> breaking news -- >> #5, the unexpected triumph of "district 9." sci-fi fantasy in which alien creatures are held in a holding area. it shows the awful things humans can do to aliens, as opposed to what they might do for us. >> it will be quick. >> be quiet.

>> at number four, the anti-is really -- at number for the war film shot entirely with then an israeli tank. it expertly shows healthier place on the young soldiers on board. -- it expertly shows how tough year plays on the young soldiers on board. in third place, the story of an illiterate accused girl in harlem, of a " precious." this film has a stellar newcomer in the central role. >> i want to be on the cover of a magazine. i want to be in one of them bet videos. >> and the actor/comedianne mo'nique is terrifyingly

affected. in the next position, "avatar," the anti-imperialists tail and love store. the dialogue could be better, but it will still be viewed as a benchmark fell. and now to the grand finale, the number one of some of 2009. it is the picture "up in the air," starring george clooney. he plays a man who flies around the country firing people. this is a film about loneliness and the importance of connections and values. and it is funny. it has strong performances, but critics -- credit should really go to its director -- jason reitman, rapidly emerging as one of the hottest young directors in the business. >> we are not swans.

we are sharks. >> what did he leave out? over to you. it is the fault -- final day of 2009. many people are already celebrating in the -- celebrating the beginning of 2010. >> at the stroke of midnight, sydney harbour bridge exploded into life as australians welcome in the new year. this year's celebrations came with a message about the environment. as clouds from 5 kilograms of explosives filled the sky, people were prompted to think about the effects of climate change. this event, we are told, was carbon neutral. auckland, new zealand was the first major city to aches -- to celebrate 2010. in hong kong, a spectacular

display. in tokyo, instead of fireworks they send balloons with new year which is into the sky. london is gearing up for one of its busiest nights of the year. of blaze of light along the thames is designed to signal a new year of optimism and energy. free tubes are running overnight and partygoers are encouraged to plan their journey home carefully. in inverness, most people may stay home on holiday. their party might have had dancers are frozen to the spot because abisaab 0 temperatures in scotland -- because of the sub 0 temperatures in scotland. the toll -- the whole event has now been cancelled. abc news. >> you saw a bit of the 10's there. we're beside the river there in london. it looks chilly.

paid as a picture. >> it is getting pretty busy already. you can see the fireworks display will be here. right along the river. [unintelligible] it is getting quite pacts. you can see the crowds are already gathering outside their. -- outside their. many more will be gathered further back in central london. some have been waning cents late afternoon to get a front row view -- some have been waiting since late afternoon to get up for review. there will also set off the fireworks display. >> i wish you and your crew a happy new year. we will be talking again later. thank you very much. now the pope has but the year

and services at st. peter's basilica in rome, a traditional mass for the end of 2009. the pope thanked those working in the rome diocese for all the work done and encouraged young people to joined the priesthood. is the first time pope benedict has been seen in public since he was attacked by a disturbed woman at now is on christmas eve. in moscow, a -- in moscow, police have detained dozens of people. one of russia's most respected rights activist is seen being pushed. we have this report. >> all she wanted was democracy. what she got was a riot bus. earlier, the rally in moscow began quietly despite the heavy police presence. >> freedom to meet as the 31st

article of the -- freedom to me is the 31st article of the constitution. it permits the expression of our opposition to the governments. >> police officers surrounded the crowd. they were there to show their dissatisfaction with the russian government. inside, they shouted "happy new year." this man's a poster says "work for food." law enforcement began to take them away. some were elderly. >> i congratulate my kilpatrick as with the new year. i wish they would wake up finally. i wish our authorities would stop stealing and be elected honestly. >> just before midnight, president medvedyev said "let all your dreams come true. let all your loved ones be with you. happy new year."

it did not begin well for everyone. it has been claimed more than 30 people have been detained by police. opposition activists were warned the demonstration did not have the approval of the authorities in moscow. bbc news. >> we have much more on that and all the international news anytime he wants it on bbc.com. that is the gateway. thank you for being with us on "bbc world news." >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. the newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank.

>> union bank has put its financial strength to work for a wide range of companies from small businesses to major corporations. what can we do for you? >> i'm julia stiles. >> i'm kevin bacon. >> i'm kim cattrall. >> hi, i'm ken burns. >> i'm lili taylor. >> i'm henry louis gates, jr., and public broadcasting is my source for news about the world. >> for intelligent conversation. >> for election coverage you can count on. >> for conversations beyond the sound bites. >> a commitment to journalism. >> for deciding who to vote for. >> i'm kerry washington, and public broadcasting is my source for intelligent connections to my community. >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles. presented by kcet, los angeles.